After the Chicago Bears declined a request to interview Mike McCarthy for their head coaching vacancy, the general consensus was that the Dallas Cowboys planned to retain his services.
However, the team shockingly announced they were parting ways with their coach on Monday. Owner Jerry Jones released a statement via the Cowboys' social media accounts to thank McCarthy for his five years at the helm of the team and explain why he is leaving the head coach. read:
“Over the past week, Mike and I have had the opportunity to review all aspects of last season, our players and staff together, as well as spend considerable time discussing the team's path forward. Those discussions were thorough and we received an offer. Before we got to the point of contract negotiations, each It became clear that one of us would be better off going in a different direction.”
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Mike McCarthy Landing Spots: Veteran HC will be among the most coveted candidates
Mike McCarthy's departure from the Cowboys was an unexpected development in the NFL's head coaching carousel. Six teams were looking for a new coach at the end of the regular season. That number dropped to five over the weekend after the New England Patriots hired one of their most coveted prospects, Mike Vrabel.
However, McCarthy's entry into the fray will heat up the market. Already interested in hiring the former Cowboys coach, the Bears will interview and likely hire Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, who is on the wish lists of several teams looking for a new coach.
However, the Bears will have to act fast, as the New Orleans Saints are also interested in hiring McCarthy as their new coach. While he'll have little trouble finding a new job after leaving the Cowboys, it remains to be seen if he'll fill one of the vacancies or go on hiatus and wait for a better opening a year from now.
Edited by William Paul